Poets In The Limelight As Ripon Celebrates National Poetry Day

Poets will take centre stage in Ripon on Thursday (October 1st) as the city marks National Poetry Day with performances at three prime locations.

Between 11am and 12noon, the Workhouse Museum on Allhallowgate will be the venue for verse and associated activities.

This will be followed between 2pm and 4pm with poetry readings in the inspiring surrounds of Ripon Cathedral.
Rounding off the day of rhyme, will be an open mic evening open to all at the Claro Lounge on Market Place South, beginning at 7.30.

The event has been organised by Ripon Poets, led by local poet Caroline Matusiak, author of the recent anthologies Words on the Bus and The 36 from Ripon.

Volunteers from Ripon Theatre Festival will also be attending the National Poetry Day performances to canvas interest in future poetry, literature and spoken word events.

Katie Scott, director of the Ripon Theatre Festival, told Tim Flanagan of the Rejoicing in Ripon Blog: “The poetry festival brought the city eight entertaining and creative years of poetry with visiting poets, open-mic nights, competitions, anthologies, school residencies and more.

“Although there is no formal poetry festival this year, Thursday’s National Poetry Day will still be marked and celebrated, thanks to Ripon Poets.”

Local authors will be reading their work at three different locations across the day, with performers including last year's winner of the Poetry Society Stanza competition in 2025.

Also performing will be a poet whose first collection was recommended by New Writing North along with three winners from Ripon Poetry Festival and the winner of Wetherby Poetry Festival Comedy Performance.

Katie pointed out: “Ripon Theatre Festival has included poetry in the festival mix from the start and we are keen to see poetry, spoken word and literary events flourish in the city.

“Members of our team will be attending the National Poetry Day events and meeting other poetry lovers, bookworms and word junkies.

“All interested parties are welcome to come along along to the performances and and share their ideas for future events and activities that celebrate the spoken and written word.”